Multiple sources are warning South African consumers to brace for continued high increases in their medical aid premiums. Experts expect costs to keep rising significantly faster than general inflation. The caution comes from Adrian Gore, CEO of Discovery, the country’s largest medical scheme administrator. He suggests that the underlying drivers of medical inflation continue to be a persistent challenge for…
Tag: South Africa
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SA’s Health System Under Strain Amid 25,000 Vacancies
South Africa’s public health system is under strain. It is buckling under the immense pressure of more than 25,000 critical staff vacancies, shrinking budgets, and a staggering national debt of R24 billion in accruals. An investigation into provincial health departments reveals a sector in crisis. Dwindling resources are colliding with overwhelming patient demand. This forces the postponement of essential medical…
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Kempton Park Hospital Security Under Public Scrutiny
The Gauteng health department is under fire for spending more than R35 million on security guards at the derelict Kempton Park Hospital. This facility has stood empty and abandoned for nearly three decades. Despite the exorbitant cost of Kempton Park Hospital’s security, the building has been ravaged by vandals. It has been stripped of its fittings and covered in graffiti,…
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‘Certificate of Need’ Faces Constitutional Court Battle
The future of where doctors can practise and where hospitals can be built in South Africa hangs in the balance. The Constitutional Court is considering the validity of the controversial “Certificate of Need” (CoN) provisions within the National Health Act. The top court heard arguments on Tuesday regarding a law that could force medical professionals to work in underserved rural…
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Compulsory Medical Aid for MPs: ActionSA’s Proposal
In a bold move to ensure public representatives experience the same healthcare realities as the citizens they serve, ActionSA MP Kgosi Letlape has announced plans to introduce the Parliamentary and Provincial Medical Aid Scheme Amendment Bill. This proposed legislation aims to abolish compulsory membership of the Parliamentary Medical Aid Scheme (Parmed) for Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Provincial Legislatures,…
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HIV Prevention Injection Changes the Game in Treatment
South Africa will introduce a new lenacapavir injection. This twice-yearly shot is for HIV prevention. It will be in select public clinics by April 2026. This marks a big step forward for the nation. It offers a great alternative to daily pills. However, another injectable, cabotegravir, is stalled. It had a four-year head start. The availability of a new HIV…
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Aspen Unlocking Value with New Manufacturing Strategies
Aspen Pharmacare’s CEO, Stephen Saad, has declared that all hands are on deck to overhaul the group’s manufacturing business. He identified the performance of its sterile unit as a significant drag on earnings. This underperformance has caused the market to undervalue the company. This move is part of Aspen’s effort to unlock value for its stakeholders and enhance its market…
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Discovery Profit Surge Indicates Strong Growth Ahead
Financial services giant Discovery Group has signalled a significant increase in profits for the year to end-June. Its banking division reached a significant profitability milestone after years of investment. This achievement contributes to the Discovery Profit Surge. In a trading statement released ahead of its full-year results, the group announced it expects a robust performance across all its business units.…
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South Africa’s Ambulance Crisis: A Public Health Emergency
Citizens are dangerously exposed during emergencies. The National Department of Health reports a major deficit. This is South Africa’s ambulance crisis. It has tragic consequences for patients. The Shocking Scale of South Africa’s Ambulance Crisis The country needs 6,228 public ambulances. This is based on its population of 62 million. The current fleet only has 4,007 vehicles. This represents a…
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Rare Fungal Infection Poses New Threat in South Africa
Doctors in Bloemfontein have confirmed a new case. It is the first of its kind in the region. This rare fungal infection is very aggressive. Researchers found it in a severely immunocompromised patient. This poses a new and dangerous threat. A team from UFS and NHLS found the case. It is a world-first in an HIV-positive person. Health officials say…
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HIV Prevention Injection Changes the Game in Treatment
South Africa will introduce a groundbreaking twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, lenacapavir, in select public clinics by April 2026. This move marks a significant step forward in the nation’s fight against HIV, offering a highly effective and convenient alternative to daily pills. However, this progress comes as another long-acting injectable, cabotegravir (CAB-LA), remains stalled despite having a four-year head start. The…
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Albert Luthuli Hospital Crisis: Lives at Risk
Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital is collapsing. The hospital is a cornerstone of KZN specialist healthcare. Senior doctors warn surgical capacity has plummeted by 60%. An exodus of specialists is crippling the facility. Its ICUs are critically understaffed. There is a severe shortage of essential supplies. Insiders describe an “austerity-fuelled” and life-threatening Albert Luthuli Hospital crisis. Doctors spoke on condition…